Pocket Knife Sharpening Advice- Try the Diamond Stone or Precision Knife Sharpening System
Question via Ask the Expert:
I recently had my pocket knife sharpened at Bass Pro and purchased a Smith’s Pocket Pro for easy touch up of the blade. After using the pocket pro for a while I am noticing that the pocket Pro does not contact the leading edge of my blade. Do you have a hand held sharpener that has varying angles so I can touch up my blade. It is obviously a smaller angle than the Pocket Pro. Do you have a sharpener you recommend for someone wishing a less durable but sharper edge?
Edge Expert Response:
Mr. Ousley,
First, let me thank you for purchasing one of products and for visiting our blog. The Pocket Pal Knife Sharpener is a versatile hand held sharpener that works great on both Straight and Serrated Edge blades. However, it seems you are having some issues with its performance on your pocket knife and looking for other sharpening options. Fortunately, Smith’s manufactures sharpeners in all categories and with all types of abrasives. I am confident we have a sharpener that will meet your needs. Let’s look at your options for hand held sharpeners that allow sharpening at varying angles.
In this case, you have a couple different options. You could go with a bench stone type sharpener or sharpening rod. Smith’s offers multiple options in either of these categories. Sharpening with these types of sharpeners is commonly referred to as “free hand sharpening” because the degree of angle is determined by the person holding the edge against the sharpening surface. These sharpeners allow the person doing the sharpening to set the angle and therefore determine if you want to put a very thin cutting edge on the blade, which will be initially very sharp but not last as long, or a wider cutting edge on the blade, which will last longer but may not be as sharp. In addition, these sharpeners come in various abrasive materials, ranging from aggressive diamond-coated surfaces to very fine natural stones. It just depends on how quickly and how much metal you want to remove from the blade.
The other option for hand held sharpeners that allow sharpening at varying angles are Precision Sharpening Systems (a.k.a. Precision Kits). These sharpeners are guided sharpening systems that hold the knife blade at a consistent angle to the sharpening surface. As you know, consistency of angle is one of the keys to effective sharpening. These sharpeners take the guesswork out of “free hand sharpening” because they eliminate the variability in angle caused by the person holding the knife against the sharpening surface. This is what makes these sharpeners attractive to a person lacking confidence in their ability to sharpen free hand. The other feature that makes them attractive (which is also what would make them attractive to you) is they come with angle guides that allow for sharpening at multiple angles. Some kits have angle guides with five different degrees of sharpening angles some only offer three choices. Smith’s kits only come with two, 20 and 25 degrees.
I hope this helps you find a sharpener that will effectively sharpen the thinner edge on your pocket knife. If you are interested in what sharpeners Smith’s offers in these categories, you can visit our website, www.smithsedge.com, or call our Customer Service department at 800-221-4156 or visit your local sporting goods retailer. I would recommend our Diamond Combination Sharpener (item # DCS4) if you are interested in a hand held, free hand sharpener, or the Diamond Precision Knife Sharpening System (item #DPSKP) if you want to try a Precision Kit.
Good luck and “keep it sharp.”
Russ Cowen
MARKETING MANAGER
